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Five Tips to Crush Freshman Year
So it's your first year of high school. What skills do you need to succeed?
Making the transition from middle school to upper school* can feel daunting, but with these tips on your side, you'll be prepared to make the most of your high school experience. Let's dive in and have a great freshman year!
1. Get Involved & Say "Yes" to New Opportunities
Your upper school environment will likely have more extracurricular opportunities than you enjoyed in eighth grade, so now is a good time to take stock of what you really love to do and jump right in. Don't be afraid to step outside your comfort zone or try something new: ninth grade is a perfect opportunity for a fresh start, and no one expects you to be an expert right away. If you're starting with a new team or club, you can always lean on more experienced members for advice - at one point in time, every one of them was right where you are now. Getting involved with activities, whether they're familiar to you or not, helps you discover new talents, meet new friends, and expand your horizons. Plus, deep and meaningful engagement in activities is something that will help you when it's time to apply to college.
2. Get to Know Your Teachers.
Your teachers aren't just there to grade your papers - they can also be guides, mentors, and supporters, as long as you make the effort to build a rapport. Participating in class and asking good questions is a great start, and so is seeking extra help or input during designated free periods/office hours. To get the most out of upper school, you need to take charge and be the main character of your learning experience...and every main character needs a great guide on their side.
3. Build Good Habits Early
We know, we know - we aren't your mother. But it really does make a huge difference when you're intentional about building good habits right from the first days of your high school career. That means creating a routine that lets you balance homework, extracurriculars, social activity, and downtime - and don't forget sleep (it's really important!). Depending on who you are, you might find your ninth grade workload to be pretty manageable and you won't feel pressed to change your habits - just trust us, by the time you get to junior and senior year, you'll be wishing you had things more under control.
4. Check in With Yourself & Protect Your Wellness
No matter who you are, at some point, you'll face some challenges in upper school. Whether those are academic, social, or personal, we encourage you to ask for help when you need it. Teachers and school counselors are great resources, and parents are too. In fact, between your school, family, and community, there are tons of ways that you can take care of yourself. Make good choices, know who you are, and trust the support systems around you. Also, have a growth mindset! It's natural to want to do everything right, but mistakes are part of the upper school process. If you find yourself overwhelmed or in a hole, share how you're feeling with the trusted supporters in your life.
5. Be Proudly Yourself!
High school can feel like a whirlwind, and you might feel blown in all different directions. As you explore all that your upper school environment has to offer, don't forget to stay true to yourself and your core values. Trust your instincts and surround yourself with people who lift you up. The more authentic you are, the more meaningful your high school experience will be - because it will be absolutely, 100% yours.
That's it - our top five tips for upper school success! Good luck in your ninth grade year - go out there and own your education!
*Like many independent schools, MVS formally uses "upper school" rather than "high school" to refer to grades 9-12. To learn more about the MVS upper school, click here.
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1. Get Involved & Say "Yes" to New Opportunities
Your upper school environment will likely have more extracurricular opportunities than you enjoyed in eighth grade, so now is a good time to take stock of what you really love to do and jump right in. Don't be afraid to step outside your comfort zone or try something new: ninth grade is a perfect opportunity for a fresh start, and no one expects you to be an expert right away. If you're starting with a new team or club, you can always lean on more experienced members for advice - at one point in time, every one of them was right where you are now. Getting involved with activities, whether they're familiar to you or not, helps you discover new talents, meet new friends, and expand your horizons. Plus, deep and meaningful engagement in activities is something that will help you when it's time to apply to college.
2. Get to Know Your Teachers.
Your teachers aren't just there to grade your papers - they can also be guides, mentors, and supporters, as long as you make the effort to build a rapport. Participating in class and asking good questions is a great start, and so is seeking extra help or input during designated free periods/office hours. To get the most out of upper school, you need to take charge and be the main character of your learning experience...and every main character needs a great guide on their side.
3. Build Good Habits Early
We know, we know - we aren't your mother. But it really does make a huge difference when you're intentional about building good habits right from the first days of your high school career. That means creating a routine that lets you balance homework, extracurriculars, social activity, and downtime - and don't forget sleep (it's really important!). Depending on who you are, you might find your ninth grade workload to be pretty manageable and you won't feel pressed to change your habits - just trust us, by the time you get to junior and senior year, you'll be wishing you had things more under control.
4. Check in With Yourself & Protect Your Wellness
No matter who you are, at some point, you'll face some challenges in upper school. Whether those are academic, social, or personal, we encourage you to ask for help when you need it. Teachers and school counselors are great resources, and parents are too. In fact, between your school, family, and community, there are tons of ways that you can take care of yourself. Make good choices, know who you are, and trust the support systems around you. Also, have a growth mindset! It's natural to want to do everything right, but mistakes are part of the upper school process. If you find yourself overwhelmed or in a hole, share how you're feeling with the trusted supporters in your life.
5. Be Proudly Yourself!
High school can feel like a whirlwind, and you might feel blown in all different directions. As you explore all that your upper school environment has to offer, don't forget to stay true to yourself and your core values. Trust your instincts and surround yourself with people who lift you up. The more authentic you are, the more meaningful your high school experience will be - because it will be absolutely, 100% yours.
That's it - our top five tips for upper school success! Good luck in your ninth grade year - go out there and own your education!
*Like many independent schools, MVS formally uses "upper school" rather than "high school" to refer to grades 9-12. To learn more about the MVS upper school, click here.
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